University of Colorado Investigates Diversity Coordinator For Allegedly Operating Phone Sex Line At Work

The University of Colorado is reeling from the disclosure that its cultural diversity coordinator with the Ethnic Studies department, Resa Cooper-Morning, is under investigation for allegedly operating a phone sex business while working for the university. Cooper-Morning, 54, is on paid leave while the University is investigating the matter. In 2008, the University of Colorado honored Cooper-Morning for her work at the university and how “her engaged and respectful participation in department dialogue touches the intellect and spirit of everyone involved.”

What is particularly interesting is that the person who appears the primary witness against Cooper-Morning is her own daughter-in-law, Blair Cooper who says that she routinely takes sex calls at the office. If true, one could imagine some serious problems in confusing calls.

Her daughter-in-law clearly does not view herself as serious family or a fan. Blair Cooper has insisted that “As a taxpayer I think this is wrong that she is doing this on our dollar.”

Cooper-Morning currently paid $68,000 annually but has allegedly operating a business with sites like “msresa.com” which offer photos and soft porn videos like “Ride Her Pony!”

Now here is the twist. Cooper-Morning is not barred from outside employment and we have repeatedly discussed the first amendment rights of teachers and public employees for their personal activities and views, including work in the porn industry. We have previously seen teachers (here, here, England, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here), here, here, students (here and here) and other public employees (here and here and here) fired for their private speech or conduct, including school employees fired for posing in magazines (here), appearing on television shows in bikinis (here), or having a prior career in the adult entertainment industry (here).

The only issue would be if Cooper-Morning is (as alleged) working on her sites during university hours. She reportedly offers to to talk dirty for $1.49 a minute about “fantasies … guided masturbation” and as the site promotes “phone sex that will rock every part of your body!.” The problem is that the site lists the hours for such services as Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until late at night. Her hours at the university are 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unless guided masturbation is considered diversifying the campus, it could be a serious problem if proven.

Not only that but who owns the intellectual property of her web site and advertising copy?

On the other hand, so to speak, there would seem to be a pretty good argument that a really, really diverse population of individuals do masturbate and “guided masturbation” is just one way to reach them.

Finally a university administrator who takes a hands on approach and really connects with the students.

My favorite part: “As a taxpayer I think this is wrong that she is doing this on our dollar.” – daughter in law.

As a taxpayer? Bah! sounds more like an ax to grind in a family feud than anything.

If the webmistress did this on her own time who cares. If she did it on company time probably not good. But realistically, if she owned say a few apartments she and her husband rented out for extra income would anyone complain if she took the occasional call from a tenant about something? I doubt it, unless she was out of favor with her boss.